257 



rose. Road's formerly impossible or impracticable are now trans- 

 formed into highways of profit and delig-ht. Frosts are defied 

 by newly created varieties of fruit and grain. The seedless apple 

 and the pitless plum have been attained. The size of fruits and 

 flowers and roots have been doubled and the mysterv of trans- 

 muting the colors of nature has been solved. And so far only the 

 first step has been made into the realm of the agriculture which 

 the new century has ushered" in. 



The vast systems of irrigation which are transforming the great 

 West are treated at length. By means of these achievements the 

 uncertainty of the agriculture of yesterday resolves itself into the 

 certainty of today. Irrigation projects bring about a more even 

 and general prosperity, more compact communities and better 

 social opportunities. 



The principles and importance of fertilization and the possibility 

 of inoculating the soil by means of nitrogen-gathering bacteria are 

 given due importance and a chapter is devoted to the importance 

 of canals and good roads and to their relation to economy and to 

 social well being. 



One of the most interesting features of the book is its description 

 of new industries. Among those described at length are the rice 

 fields of Louisiana and Texas, the keeping of the angora goat for 

 its fleece, the cultivation of the Smyrna fig and the date, the pro- 

 duction of tea and the manufacture of perfumery and drugs. 



A most fascinating account of the manner in which experi- 

 menters are endeavoring to subject to human control, the size and 

 shape, the color, taste and odor, the fecundity and inherent quali- 

 ties of the whole of plant life, is presented. The "white black- 

 berry," the ''citrange," the seedless apple, the "tangelo" and many 

 other marvellous blends are described. 



The latter part of the book describes the practice of the new 

 agriculture and the new machinery which has recently been 

 brought into operation. 



The New Agriculture is excellently illustrated with over one 

 hundred half-tone illustrations — the majority of them full page. 

 We heartily recommend this work for general reading and also ;tS 

 a handbook of practical usefulness. Its careful perusal should act 

 as an inspiration to many a toiler at the desk and should assist 

 many a youth to a decision of life's vocation. 



U. S. IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 



Bulletin igi. Tests of Internal-Combustion Engines on Alcohol 



Fuel. 



The tests reported were made on engines using both gasoline 

 and alcohol. Detailed results in fuel consumption and in power 

 produced are given. 



Application for this bulletin should be made to the Office of 

 ^Experiment Stations, Washington, D. C, 



